Jewelry making apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for making jewelry is provided. The apparatus includes a curved form attached to a handle and a grip head attached to a grip head handle. A pivot connection joins both handles, with the grip head being positioned in proximity to the curved form. In order to form a cuff style bracelet, first and second ends of a work piece are sequentially inserted, held in position by the grip head against the form, and then bent around the form.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/779,175, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlled bending of items, and in particular for making jewelry.

BACKGROUND

Producing custom jewelry is a highly skilled art that takes years of practice to develop. In particular, it is difficult to produce a cuff style bracelet which has two symmetrical curved sides with a uniform shape and size. Presently, such bracelets are produced by shaping a work piece against a conical or elliptical curved form using various silver-smithing techniques which require significant skills to perform because it is difficult to hold and shape the work piece simultaneously, as well as manipulate tools, such as a mallet used for forming the bracelet. While other forming tools exist, none of them perform adequately for holding the work piece against the desired form or creating a symmetric shape.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for making jewelry that includes a curved form attached to a handle. A grip head is attached to a grip head handle, and a pivot connection joins both handles. This allows a workpiece to be gripped and held against the curved form in a secure manner in order to allow a user to form the workpiece into a cuff-type bracelet.

The invention also provides a process of creating an open bracelet that is significantly easier than the prior known processes. The forming tool with a grip head is used to grip the work piece during the forming process. A user then bends the workpiece over the curved form attached to the tool handle, allowing easier and symmetric forming of the bracelet.

The invention also allows the formation of jewelry using a variety of materials which heretofore could not be easily and accurately worked by anyone other than a highly skilled artisan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the jewelry making apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a left-side view of the jewelry making apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the jewelry making apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the pivot connection used in the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a left-side view of the jewelry making apparatus of FIG. 1 with the work piece in the first position.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the completed jewelry produced by the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIG. 1, a jewelry making apparatus or tool 10 according to the present invention shown. The tool 10 includes a curved form 20, a handle 30, and a grip head handle 72 connected to the handle 30 using a pivot connection 45.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the curved form 20 in a preferred embodiment is formed with an elliptical loop 26 which is bent from a straight piece of metal stock material through an arc of approximately 270 degrees. The stock material preferably has a rectangular cross-section; however, other cross-sections could be utilized. One end 22 of the elliptical loop 26 is preferably extended to form the handle 30. The other end 23 terminates at a predetermined distance from the handle 30. A stop 21 is placed in proximity to the other end 23 of the elliptical loop 26 to establish a consistent starting point for the jewelry work piece 80, shown in FIG. 5.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the curved form 20 can be created from metal, plastic, wood, a composite or any other stock material that has sufficient hardness and durability to resist surface deformation during the jewelry making process. The curved form 20 can be produced through any one, or a combination, of fabrication techniques including, but not limited to, molding, casting, machining, extruding, or any other suitable means. The curved form 20 can be open or closed and the elliptical loop 26 can be produced using different x-axis 25 or y-axis 24 dimensions so jewelry of different sizes can be produced. The stop 21 can be integral to the curved form 20 or the stop 21 can be a separate device that is mechanically fastened to the curved form 20. Additionally, the elliptical loop 26 can be a separate part that is mechanically fastened to the handle 30 such that the elliptical loop 26 is removable.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the handle 30 in the preferred embodiment is formed from the same straight piece of stock material with a rectangular cross-section as the curved form 20. One end 32 of the handle 30 is attached to the curved form 20 and the free end 33 is curved slightly to provide a more ergonomic grip for the jewelry making apparatus 10. While a rectangular shape is preferred, the cross-section of the handle 30 can be formed from any shape including, but not limited to, round, oval, or square. The stock material can be any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic or a composite that is sufficiently durable to resist the bending force created by the jewelry forming process. Furthermore, the curved form handle 30 can be straight, curved or an ergonomically shaped form. An ergonomically shaped form is any shape, form, contour or pattern that is intended to minimize the fatigue or discomfort of the operator of the apparatus. A slot 31 is located in proximity to the end of the handle 30 nearest the curved form 20.

Still with reference to FIG. 1, the pivot connection 45 in the preferred embodiment is comprised of a left pivot block 40, a right pivot block 50, and a pivot pin 60. Both pivot block elements 40, 50 are attached to or formed integrally with the handle 30 parallel to one another and straddling the slot 31. Referring to FIG. 3, the pivot pin 60 is inserted through a pivot hole 73 in the grip head handle 72, best seen in FIG. 4, creating an axis around which the grip head handle can rotate. Preferably, one end of the pivot pin 60 is fixed to one pivot block 40, the grip head handle 72 is extended through the slot 31 in the handle 30 and the opposite end of the pivot pin 60 is fixed to the opposite pivot block 50. Although in the preferred embodiment, the grip head handle 72 pivots or rotates around the stationary pivot pin 60, any configuration where the grip head handle 72 rotates about an axis perpendicular to the pivot blocks 40, 50 is useable for this invention. In the preferred embodiment, the pivot pin 60 is a roll pin.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the grip head handle 72, in the preferred embodiment, is formed from a length of straight stock material with a circular cross-section. In the preferred embodiment, the grip head handle 72 is curved in at least two places 74, 75. This curvature allows the grip head face 71 to engage the curved form 20 when a length of the grip head handle 72, that is adjacent to the grip head 70, is parallel to the handle 30. The free end 76 of the grip head handle 72 is slightly curved to improve the operator's grip on the jewelry making apparatus 10. While a circular cross-section is preferred, the cross-section of the grip head handle 72 can be formed from any shape including, but not limited to, rectangular, oval, or square. The stock material can be any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic or some composite that is sufficiently durable to resist the bending force created by the jewelry forming process. Furthermore, the length of the grip head handle 72 between the lower curve 75 and the free end 76 can be straight, curved or any ergonomically shaped form.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a grip head 70 is attached to a second end 77 of the grip head handle 72. When the handle 30 and the grip head handle 72 are squeezed together, the grip head handle 72 rotates toward the curved form 20 until the grip head face 71 touches the surface of the curved form. In the preferred embodiment, the grip head 70 is made of the same material as the grip head handle 72; however, according to the invention, the grip head 70 can be made of any material that is sufficiently durable to securely hold the work piece 80, shown in FIG. 5, without permanent deformation. According to the invention, the grip head 70 can also be removable so that grip heads 70 of various sizes, shapes and hardness can be used. Similarly, according to the invention the grip head face 71 can be covered with a material that changes the surface hardness or improve the ability of the grip head 70 to grip the work piece 80, shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, to create a piece of jewelry, one end 82 of a work piece 80 is placed against the stop 21 and between the elliptical loop 26 and the grip head face 71. A user squeezes the grip head handle and the handle together simultaneously. The work piece 80 is formed around the elliptical loop 26 by the user to form a bend that is approximately 180 degrees in the work piece 80 while taking care to maintain contact between the work piece 80 and the surface of the elliptical loop 26. This step forms one-half of the piece of jewelry, shown in FIG. 6. The work piece 80 is then released when the user loosens the grip on the grip head handle 72 and the handle 30. The second end 81 of the work piece 80 is then placed against the stop 21 and between the curved form 20 and the grip head face 71. The user squeezes the grip head handle 72 and the handle 30 together simultaneously. The user forms the work piece 80 around the elliptical loop 26 to create a second bend in the work piece 80 that is approximately 180 degrees while taking care to maintain contact between the work piece 80 and the surface of the elliptical loop 26. The user releases the work piece 80 by loosening the grip on the grip head handle 72 and the handle 30. The user finishes both a first end 81 and a second end 82 of the work piece 80 to remove any burrs, imperfections or sharp edges that might be present in the stock material. This can be done prior to forming, if desired. This completes the piece of jewelry 90, shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, the jewelry 90 is a bracelet in the preferred embodiment. Different size pieces of jewelry 90 can be formed by varying the ‘X’ dimension of the work piece 80 and by changing the shape and size of the curved form 20, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

The invention represents a significant improvement over the tools presently used to create open bracelets because a novice user can quickly and easily produce symmetrical designs: a result that previously required advanced skills. The invention accommodates different shapes, sizes and thickness of work pieces without increasing the level of skill needed to produce a satisfactory result. Unlike other tools used to produce open bracelets, this invention can be used in a jewelry store, craft store, craft show, educational or other type environment to allow a customer, hobbyist, or professional to form their own piece of custom jewelry with very little oversight or supervision because it allows custom pieces to be quickly and efficiently produced. 

1. An apparatus for making jewelry comprising: a curved form attached to a handle; a grip head attached to a grip head handle; and a pivot connection joining both handles, with the grip head being positioned in proximity to the curved form.
 2. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curved form comprises material formed into an elliptical loop with a stop located in proximity to a first end of the loop and a second end of the loop is attached to the handle.
 3. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elliptical loop is a curve that is at least 180 degrees.
 4. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second end of the loop is integrally attached to the handle.
 5. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot connection comprises a pair of pivot blocks located on the handle and a pivot pin extending through the pivot blocks and the grip head handle.
 6. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 4, wherein the handle includes a slot through which the grip head handle extends; the pivot blocks are mounted parallel to each other on opposite sides of the slot in the handle; the pivot pin is inserted through a pivot hole in the grip head handle; and one end of the pivot pin is fixed to one of the pivot blocks and an opposite end of the pivot pin is fixed to the opposite pivot block.
 7. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grip head is moveable from a first position, spaced apart from the curved form to a second position, where the grip head rests against the curved form.
 8. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curved form is removably attached to the handle.
 9. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the handle and grip head handle have an ergonomically shaped form.
 10. The jewelry making apparatus of claim 1, wherein the grip head is comprised of a grip head body with a grip head face, and the grip head body is removable from the grip head handle.
 11. A method of bending bracelets comprising: providing an apparatus having a curved form attached to a handle, a grip head attached to a grip head handle, and a pivot connection joining both handles; placing a first end of an un-formed work piece against the curved form; holding the first end of the un-formed work piece against the curved form with the grip head by moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another; bending the work piece over the curved form to create a partially formed work piece; releasing the partially formed work piece by moving the handle and the grip head handle in opposite directions; and removing the partially formed work piece.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: placing a second end of the partially formed work piece against the curved form; holding the second end of the partially formed work piece against the curved form with the grip head by moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another; bending the partially formed work piece over the curved form to create a completed work piece; freeing the completed work piece by releasing the grip head handle; and removing the completed work piece.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the completed work piece is symmetrical.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein a stop is located on the curved form, and the method further comprises placing the first end of the un-formed work piece against the stop prior to moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another to grip the un-formed work piece.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: placing a second end of the partially formed work piece against the stop on the curved form; holding the second end of the partially formed work piece against the curved form with the grip head by moving the handle and the grip head handle toward one another; bending the partially formed work piece over the curved form to create a completed work piece; freeing the completed work piece by releasing the grip head handle; and removing the completed work piece.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the completed work piece is symmetrical. 